Bodysuit

ABSTRACT

A bodysuit is provided for a wearer having a crotch area that includes a torso portion comprising a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel has a front flap. A first elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on an inside surface of a lower portion of the front flap. The rear panel has a rear flap. A second elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on an outside surface of a lower portion of the rear flap. In a worn position, said first elongated hook and loop fastener portion engages the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional 63/193,385 filed on May 26, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to clothing and, more specifically, to a bodysuit with releasable fasteners.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Bodysuits are garments that are worn by people. Bodysuits may be used as both undergarments and outer garments. Bodysuits may be used for everyday wear as well as in sporting situations. For everyday wear, bodysuits are convenient for people who would like to avoid having to continuously tuck in their shirt.

Bodysuits are a shirt that cover the torso and that have a flap that extends downward from both the front of the garment and the rear of the garment. The flaps have a clasp or snap that joins between the crotch area of the wearer. The clasps are typically metal and can cause discomfort between the legs of the wearer. The clasps and snaps are used to allow for the garment to be opened to provide access for using the restroom. Clasps and snaps are fixed into position and do not allow adjustability.

Bodysuits are also used by competitors in sporting events. For example, sports such as ballet, swimming, gymnastics and running provide the opportunity for wearing a bodysuit.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides a bodysuit that includes a hook and loop fastener instead of metal clasps or snaps. The hook and loop fasteners are oriented in a direction that reduce the interference with the legs and therefore reduces discomfort to the wearer.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a bodysuit for a wearer having a crotch area has a torso portion comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has a first flap. A first hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on a lower portion of the first flap. The second panel has a second flap. A second hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on a lower portion of the second flap. In a worn position, the first hook and loop fastener portion engages the second hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a bodysuit for a wearer having a crotch area that includes a torso portion comprising a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel has a front flap. A first elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on an inside surface of a lower portion of the front flap. The rear panel has a rear flap. A second elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed on an outside surface of a lower portion of the rear flap. In a worn position, said first elongated hook and loop fastener portion engages the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected examples and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a bodysuit formed according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a bottom portion of the bodysuit in an unattached state.

FIG. 1C is a back view of the bodysuit of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a side view of the bodysuit of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 1E is bottom view of the bodysuit in a nearly joined position.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a sleeveless bodysuit having a thong rear portion.

FIG. 2B is a partial bottom view of hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a rear view of the bodysuit of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2D is a nearly assembled bottom view of the bodysuit of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of the bodysuit in an assembled fashion in which the flaps align.

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the bodysuit in a tighter fitting position.

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of the bodysuit in a looser position from that of FIG. 3A.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures and relative to the intended use of the bodysuit on a wearer in the upright position. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly

Referring now to Figs. FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate the bodysuit in an unworn position. In FIG. 1A, a front view of a bodysuit 10 is illustrated. The bodysuit 10 has a torso portion 12 that combines a front panel 14 and a rear panel 16. The front panel 14 and the rear panel 16 may be separate panels in some examples or a continuous piece in other exampled. The torso portion 12, in this example, has sleeves 18 extending therefrom. The sleeves 18 are short sleeves. In other examples, the sleeves 18 may be long sleeves. The bodysuit 10 may also be sleeveless. The torso portion 12 also has a neck opening 20. The bodysuit 10 is elongated in shape and has a longitudinal axis 22.

The torso portion 12 includes a waist portion 24 that may be tapered. The waist portion 24 may be not tapered in other examples. The front panel 14 of the torso portion 12 has a front flap 30 extending downward therefrom. The front flap 30 has an upper portion 32 and a lower portion 33 having a lower edge 34. The upper portion 32 may extend across the front panel 14 and may extend around partially to the sides of the bodysuit 10. The lower edge 34 of the front flap 30 has a hook and loop fastener portion 36 and a hook and loop fastener portion 38 positioned adjacent thereto, in this example. In other examples, only one hook and loop fastener portion may be coupled to each of the flaps. Of course, more than two flaps may be positioned on each flap.

The rear panel 16 has a rear flap 40 extending downward therefrom as is best shown in FIG. 1C. The rear flap 40 has an upper portion 42 integrally formed with the rear panel 16. The rear flap 40 has a lower portion 43 with a lower edge 44 at the bottommost portion of the rear flap 40.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the outside surface of the lower edge 44 of the rear flap 40 has a hook and loop fastener portion 46 and a hook and loop fastener portion 48 that align with the hook and loop fastener portion 36 and hook and loop fastener portion 38 on the inside surface of the front flap 30, respectively. Inside means closest to a wearer within the bodysuit 10.

Referring now to FIG. 1E, the enlarged front flap 30 is illustrated adjacent to the rear flap 40. The lower portion 33 of the rear flap is illustrated relative to the hook and loop fastener portions 36, 38. In this example, the hook and loop fastener portions 36, 38 are spaced evenly between the edges 52 of the lower portion 33 of the front flap. However, uneven spacing is possible. The hook and loop fasteners have a width W and a length L that is longer than the width W. Therefore, the hook and loop fastener portions are elongated. In this example, the hook and loop fastener portions are elongated in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis 22. The hook and loop fasteners may be spaced apart by a space S. The space S may be narrower than the width W.

The hook and loop fastener portions 36, 38, 46, 48 have a hook side and a loop side so that when brought together, they are releasably coupled together. That is, the hook and loop fastener portion 36 corresponds to the hook and loop fastener portion 46 while hook and loop fastener portion 38 corresponds to the hook and loop fastener portion 48. The hook and loop fastener portion 36 may be a hook portion or a loop portion while hook and loop fastener portion 46 may be a loop portion or a hook portion. If hook and loop fastener portion 36 is a hook portion, then fastener portion 46 is a loop portion. The same applies to hook and loop fastener portions 38, 48. Collectively, the hook and loop fastener portion collectively means either a hook or a loop portion.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a thong style bodysuit 210 is illustrated. In this example, the sleeves 18 have been removed to leave straps 212. In this example, one hook and loop fastener portion is provided on each flap 30, 40 because the thong style has a narrower width at the rear flap 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, the front flap 30 and the rear flap 40 are shown in various states of a worn position relative to a crotch area 310 of a wearer. Thread 312 is used to sew the hook and loop fastener portions 36 and 46 (as well as the other hook and loop fastener portions 38 and 48) to their respective flaps. In the worn position, the front flap 30 and the rear flap 40 may not be exactly aligned. In FIG. 3A, the hook and loop fastener portions 36, 46 are aligned exactly. The position provides the most grip to prevent the front flap 30 from separating from the rear flap 40. In FIG. 3B, the front flap 30 is positioned further beneath the crotch area 310 of the wearer so that the hook and loop fastener portion 36 is partially past the hook and loop fastener portion 46. This allows the bodysuit 10 to be tighter.

In FIG. 3C, when a looser fit is required, the hook and loop fastener portion 36 is misaligned with the hook and loop fastener 46 so that the lower edge 34 of the front flap is positioned directly adjacent to a mid-portion of the hook and loop fastener portion 36.

In general, the hook and loop fastener portions may be made of a soft hook and loop material. One suitable example is “Soft & Flexible Sew-on” Velcro® or various types of Velcro® which is soft, strong, holds up in the wash and is durable. In one constructed embodiment, ⅝ inch width of hook and loop fastener material was used. The hook and loop fasteners may be sewn to the bodysuit with correspondingly soft thread, such as polyester cover, polyester, cotton or other durable thread material that is soft. The material of the bodysuit may be various types of material suitable for various types of activities. Cotton, silk, cashmere, rayon viscose and the like may be used. Various blends of materials including Spandex® and the like may be included in the material of the bodysuit. Various biodegradable, untreated and certified organic fabrics may also be used. The materials may have various characteristics including moisture wicking that allows the use of the bodysuit for various sporting events, such as ballet, swimming, gymnastics and running. Likewise, the materials may have further decorations for various casual and formal events.

The foregoing description of the examples has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular example are generally not limited to that particular example, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected example, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bodysuit for a wearer having a crotch area comprising: a torso portion comprising a first panel and a second panel; said first panel having a first flap; a first hook and loop fastener portion disposed on a lower portion of the first flap; said second panel having a second flap; and a second hook and loop fastener portion disposed on a lower portion of the second flap; and in a worn position, said first hook and loop fastener portion engaging the second hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.
 2. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion comprises a first elongated hook and loop fastener portion and wherein the second hook and loop fastener portion comprises a second elongated hook and loop fastener portion.
 3. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first elongated hook and loop fastener portion and the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion are elongated in a longitudinal direction when the first flap is disconnected from the second flap in an unworn position.
 4. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first flap and the second flap extend below a waistline of the torso portion.
 5. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion is disposed adjacent a first edge of the first flap and extends toward the torso portion and wherein the second hook and loop fastener portion is disposed adjacent a second edge of the second flap and extends toward the torso portion.
 6. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion is sewn to the lower portion of the first flap and the second hook and loop fastener portion is sewn to the lower portion of the second flap.
 7. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein comprising a third hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the lower portion of the first flap and a fourth hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the lower portion of the second flap; and, in the worn position, said third elongated hook and loop fastener portion engaging the fourth hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.
 8. The bodysuit of claim 7 wherein the first hook and loop fastener portion is spaced apart from the third hook and loop fastener portion and the second hook and loop fastener portion is spaced apart from the fourth hook and loop fastener portion.
 9. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the second flap forms a thong.
 10. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the torso portion comprises sleeves.
 11. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the torso portion is sleeveless.
 12. The bodysuit of claim 1 wherein the first panel and the second panel are continuous.
 13. A bodysuit for a wearer having a crotch area comprising: a torso portion comprising a front panel and a rear panel; said front panel having a front flap; a first elongated hook and loop fastener portion disposed on an inside surface of a lower portion of the front flap; said rear panel having a rear flap; a second elongated hook and loop fastener portion disposed on an outside surface of a lower portion of the rear flap; and in a worn position, said first elongated hook and loop fastener portion engaging the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.
 14. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein the first elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed adjacent a first edge of the front flap and extends toward the torso portion and wherein the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion is disposed adjacent a second edge of the rear flap and extends toward the torso portion.
 15. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein the first elongated hook and loop fastener portion is sewn to the lower portion of the front flap and the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion is sewn to the lower portion of the rear flap.
 16. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein comprising a third elongated hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the lower portion of the front flap and a fourth elongated hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the lower portion of the rear flap; and, in the worn position, said third elongated hook and loop fastener portion engaging the fourth elongated hook and loop fastener portion adjacent the crotch area.
 17. The bodysuit of claim 16 wherein the first elongated hook and loop fastener portion is spaced apart from the third elongated hook and loop fastener portion and the second elongated hook and loop fastener portion is spaced apart from the fourth elongated hook and loop fastener portion.
 18. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein the rear flap forms a thong.
 19. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein the torso portion comprises sleeves.
 20. The bodysuit of claim 13 wherein the torso portion is sleeveless. 